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Perseverance rover parachute test, seen from below.

Mars landings: ‘7 minutes of terror’

Posted by in Human World | Space | 2 days ago

To celebrate the 8-year anniversary of Curiosity rover’s arrival on Mars, here’s a video on the final 7 minutes of its chilling descent on August 5-6, 2012.

Top 10 tips for meteor-watchers

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Human World | 2 days ago

How to watch a meteor shower. Tips for beginners.
Blue balls with spikes.

Does coronavirus linger in the body?

Posted by in Human World | 2 days ago

Some viruses can hide out in the body and reemerge at later times. Which viruses do this, and can the new coronavirus do this too?

Successful splashdown for SpaceX Crew Dragon in Gulf of Mexico

Posted by in Human World | Space | 4 days ago

The SpaceX Crew Dragon splashdown into the Gulf of Mexico today was the first splashdown in 45 years.

What’s the August birthstone?

Posted by in Human World | 6 days ago

Happy birthday, August babies! Your month has 2 birthstones, peridot and sardonyx.
Spacecraft launch.

Blast off! Perseverance, newest Mars rover, launched as planned

Posted by in Human World | Space | 1 week ago

It was a picture-perfect launch this morning for the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, with good weather and no major hitches. The rover lifted off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Orbital view of Gulf Coast from Texas to Mississippi with bar graph at bottom.

Gulf of Mexico dead zone: Summer 2020 forecast

Posted by in Earth | Human World | 1 week ago

NOAA scientists forecast that this summer’s dead zone would measure roughly 6,700 square miles – bigger than the long-term average recorded since 1985, but lower than 2017’s record-high extent.

Human-linked Earth vibrations dropped 50% during Covid-19 lockdown

Posted by in Earth | Human World | 2 weeks ago

Between March and May 2020, many people across Earth went into lockdown. During those months, seismographs recorded a drop in human-linked vibrations in the solid Earth, by an average of 50%.
Telescope floating in space.

James Webb Space Telescope launch date delayed

Posted by in Human World | Space | 2 weeks ago

NASA is delaying the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope for another 7 months, from March 2021 to October 31, 2021, due to, among other factors, work stoppages during the coronavirus pandemic.

Dark Sky Sanctuary established in New England

Posted by in Earth | Human World | 2 weeks ago

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine was certified as a Dark Sky Sanctuary on May 8, 2020.

Watch ISS spacewalk July 21

Posted by in Human World | Space | 3 weeks ago

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, 2 NASA astronauts will perform the 2nd in a pair of International Space Station (ISS) spacewalks, to finish a 3.5-year effort to upgrade the station’s power system. How to watch.
A gray ball with 4 brightly colored circles inside it.

Physicists say they’ve found a ‘tetraquark’

Posted by in Human World | 4 weeks ago

On July 1, scientists announced the discovery of a new exotic particle – a so-called “tetraquark” – a finding that marks a major breakthrough in a search of almost 20 years, carried out in particle physics labs all over the world.

Spacecraft image of a lifeless, dry, rocky planetary surface, under a yellow sky.

NASA announces Venus rover challenge winners

Posted by in Human World | Space | 4 weeks ago

The Venus rover challenge – called “Exploring Hell” – received a great response from countries around the world. NASA said the design ideas submitted will help advance the final design of a mechanical rover that might one day explore the hellish surface of Venus.
It seems possible to detect a subtle shading on the moon in this photo taken midway through a partial penumbral eclipse, but, if so, it's very very subtle.

Eclipse? What eclipse?

Posted by in Human World | Today's Image | 1 month ago

Even experienced observers say they couldn’t discern the Earth’s shadow on the moon during the partial penumbral eclipse of July 4-5, 2020.

‘Astonishing discovery’ of massive prehistoric circle near Stonehenge

Posted by in Human World | 1 month ago

An ancient circle of deep trenches has been found near Stonehenge. Scientists say the newly discovery site offers insights into the lives of people who lived in the area 4,500 years ago.

Colorful bursts in night sky with text annotations.

How do fireworks get their colors?

Posted by and in Human World | 1 month ago

Many, perhaps most, fireworks displays have been canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Still, it’s fun to contemplate the fact that the beautiful colors in fireworks – so good at stirring our emotions – are created by chemistry.

Check out this sloth robot

Posted by in Earth | Human World | 1 month ago

SlothBot is a slow-moving and energy-efficient robot that can linger in the trees to monitor animals, plants, and the environment below.

Stunning images of the night

Posted by and in Earth | Human World | 1 month ago

See the winners of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) 1st annual photography contest.
Asteroid Day 2020 poster.

Asteroid Day, June 30, live from Luxembourg

Posted by in Human World | Space | 1 month ago

The 6th annual Asteroid Day will be held as a digital event on June 30, 2020. It’ll feature presentations with experts, panel discussions, and question-and-answer periods. Here’s how to participate.
Two images of astronauts in spacesuits

Watch ISS spacewalk July 1

Posted by in Human World | Space | 1 month ago

On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, 2 astronauts will perform the 2nd of a pair of International Space Station (ISS) spacewalks, to replace aging nickel-hydrogen batteries. How to watch.